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Re: FineYoungSinger - I think it is safe to say that most of the people that
Whenever you stand for something---no matter what it is---it's going to be a source of pain. Nothing worth striving for or believing in should be easy.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on July 23, 2008 at 5:54 AM
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Luz_Briar - I find the ones that claim to have turned off their belief to
see what it was like to be an atheist to be the funniest ones.
If a person could turn off their beliefs like a light switch those beliefs would be valueless.
posted by
gomedome
on July 22, 2008 at 9:44 PM
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FineYoungSinger - I think it is safe to say that most of the people that
would say such a thing are on a temporary high.
posted by
gomedome
on July 22, 2008 at 9:41 PM
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oh how many times have i heard that? like it's some kind of flavor. once again, i know how you feel.
posted by
Luz_Briar
on July 22, 2008 at 5:38 PM
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I didn't realize having faith was supposed to be a good experience.
In my life, my faith has often been a source of great pain for me.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on July 22, 2008 at 2:09 PM
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To be fair, a few of them are really just so infatuated,
they sincerely believe you and I and everyone else outside the bubble of joy are missing something wonderful.
And some seriously do think it their loving duty to all humankind to bring us all into the fold.
There is, sadly, a gagginess to being dosed with self-righteous fatuousness. It doesn't bring out my most appreciative side, either.
posted by
Ciel
on July 22, 2008 at 10:38 AM
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Re: What those commenters aren't getting is that you are already
Ciel - that is ultimately why the implications are so insulting. People that would say such a thing are suggesting that only they have beliefs that are "rewarding and satisfying". Some have come right out and said as much. The remarkable part of this is that in general terms, those whom I have encountered that act like this seem to have nothing going for them other than their willingness to be annoying to others.
posted by
gomedome
on July 22, 2008 at 8:54 AM
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What those commenters aren't getting is that you are already
finding your own beliefs rewarding and satisfying, founded as they are, in sincere appreciation of your experiences, explorations, education and reasoning.
posted by
Ciel
on July 22, 2008 at 7:49 AM
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Talion_ - very well put and I agree completely
We have seen both of these types around here but the ones suffering from a bad case of "obstusiosity" are generally of the number two category. I do find however if they are obtuse enough to take that attitude towards strangers, simply reading the riot act isn't enough sometimes. There are instances where they need a good old fashioned clubbing over the head, . . . which of course I am happy to provide them with.
posted by
gomedome
on July 21, 2008 at 7:46 PM
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gomedome
I too have encountered this line of "reasoning" from time to time. Depending on the source and delivery, it can be interpreted in two ways:
#1: You haven't done your homework. You haven't read the Bible, attended any church services, or discussed your state of disbelief with a knowledgable Christian. You've only glanced at the surface of these profoundly deep waters, only stuck a toe in while standing firmly on the bank of disbelief. If you took the time and effort to wade in, you'll discover you had it all wrong.
#2: You're like a three-year-old who when presented with a new food, immediately decides you don't like it without making the attempt to actually "taste" it. You have no idea what you're talking about, there are absolutely no grounds for your position/point of view, and you're being obstinate simply for the sake of being obstinate.
If the source is a friend or someone who at least knows you personally and you share some kind of common ground, he/she usually means #1. Though the assumption I haven't seriously considered my religious point of view is a bit offensive, it usually doesn't offend me. They mean well so my response is tempered by that fact. I won't read them the riot act.
However, #2 is a different story. This condescending drivel only comes from strangers, people who don't know what kind of person I am beyond my religious beliefs and their attitude makes it apparent they don't care enough to learn. If I even bother to respond, they get the riot act in its entirety, every chapter and verse.
posted by
Talion_
on July 21, 2008 at 5:48 PM
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